- “We offer an extensive range of products catering for both our trade customers and DIY enthusiasts.”
- “We have something very exciting coming up which has been in the pipeline for some time.”
- “We are honoured to play a role in the new season of DIY SOS: The Big Build Series 2.”
Build & Renovate: Can you describe the background of Chadwicks and Chadwicks Group?
Pat Moore: Chadwicks was founded in 1902 by William Thomas Chadwicks at Talbot Place, Dublin to supply builders’ merchants and the major building contractors with cement and plaster produced in Ireland and abroad. In the 1950s the business expanded, moving to bigger premises in Walkinstown and adding new lines such as fire clay to its range of building products. Further expansion took place in the 1960s and in 1967 the company opened its first branch outside Dublin in Kilkenny.
Today, Chadwicks which is part of Chadwicks Group is Ireland’s leading Builders Merchants and Home Improvement Specialist with over 40 branches across the country. Chadwicks is currently the largest building material, timber and steel provider across Ireland. As part of our brand ethos, we consistently strive to offer the widest range of products at the best value for our customers, in order to offer a breadth of solutions suited to their building needs.
At Chadwicks, our relationship with our customers and our suppliers is the foundation of our success and working closely with both is integral to the business across the board. We are present in more communities in Ireland than any other builders’ merchant and pride ourselves on our commitment to the localities in which we serve.
Alongside the Chadwicks brand, Chadwicks Group also operates Heiton Steel, The Panelling Centre, Telfords, Cork Builders Providers, Morgans Timber, Proline Architectural Hardware and Davies builders’ and plumbers’ merchanting businesses in the Republic of Ireland.
B&R: What is your position within the company, and what does your role entail?
PM: My role within Chadwicks is Commercial Director, which involves readying the overall business for new opportunities. We are continuously challenged with finding new solutions for the construction sector that covers sustainability, value for money, and ease of use, so it is imperative for us to have unrivalled market knowledge.
Much of my role is working alongside the wider team to ensure that we are prepared and thinking ahead for all new and emerging trends. Over the last number of years, we have seen an incredible uptake in the role of digital within the building industry. This is a particular area that I am incredibly passionate about and I strive to ensure that Chadwicks is fully equipped to meet this particular trend.
I am fortunate to work amongst a team of highly motivated professionals that are committed to driving excellence across all areas of our business. We are tasked with ensuring branches across the country have the correct product stock available so that we can consistently meet the changing needs of our customers.
B&R: How is the business going?
PM: We are delighted to say that business has been performing well despite the restrictive period that we have had to face due to the pandemic. While we have had to remain incredibly agile over the past 18 months, the entire team has given their full commitment to ensuring that all of our customers are treated with best-in-class service.
The market has also changed quite dramatically in recent months, and this can be witnessed from the challenges across stock availability and price inflation. Fortunately, we are best placed in the market to meet these challenges head-on and manage the situation with as minimal disruption as possible for our customers.
While it has been a turbulent time for the industry, we have seen some incredible successes and exciting new ventures across the business. This year, Chadwicks launched its first Eco Centre in the Chadwicks Galway branch.
The Chadwicks Eco Centre showcases Ireland’s leading sustainable building materials and the team in store are on hand to provide guidance on the latest products and services. As members of the Irish Green Building Council, we’re proud to showcase our commitment to a greener future and more sustainable building industry with the launch of the new centre. We look forward to continuing the roll-out of the Chadwicks Eco Centres in the remainder of 2021 and beyond.
B&R: What products do you offer, or do you find certain products stand out from the crowd more than others?
PM: We offer an extensive range of products catering for both our trade customers and DIY enthusiasts. We have over 30,000 products in our vast range that includes everything from building materials, timber, kitchens, steel, doors, floors, fixtures and fittings, paint, bathrooms and heating and plumbing supplies. We have it all!
As well as stocking the best range of products, our team is also renowned for their expert product knowledge. We invest a huge amount of time in training our team so they can advise customers on the right products for their building project.
We have built long-lasting relationships with our customers based on our knowledge, expertise, and superior service. Our customers trust us to help them select the right products to build extensions, homes, and kitchens and to carry out repairs, maintenance and improvements. We want them to have the best advice and the best products, and if we don’t have the right product, which is rare, we will do our very best to get it! We want to be able to fulfil customers’ needs at the right price, in the right place and at the right time, every time.
B&R: How have you become/ why have you decided to become involved with the show DIY SOS?
PM: We are honoured to play a role in the new season of DIY SOS: The Big Build Series 2, hosted by Baz Ashmawy and his team of incredible volunteers. Chadwicks is the exclusive building materials supplier for the season, and we are supplying a wide range of building materials to renovate the homes of some of Ireland’s most worthy families.
As community is at the heart of our brand ethos, we are privileged to be lending a hand and supporting families across the nation with their dreams of a better home. Our own Chadwicks team has been busy throughout the summer, helping to transform the homes for these families as well as sharing expertise and knowledge for the builds. Having a wide and diverse network of branches and colleagues across the country, allows us to service these various locations with local knowledge and support. We are delighted to be part of such a worthwhile cause as it not only allows Chadwicks to give back to those in need but also support the communities who are behind these great initiatives.
B&R: Going forward, what do you see as the future of the business? Are there any exciting plans in the pipeline?
PM: High demand for housing and energy efficient retrofits will continue to fuel strong sales in construction materials across the country. We also believe our customers are always looking to improve their surroundings, whether it’s a complete extension on their home or an update to their garden or spare room. Given our extensive product selection and high-level of expertise across all categories, Chadwicks is best placed to support the future of construction in Ireland no matter how big or small the project.
We have launched several new ventures over the past two years and will be rolling these out across the entire Chadwicks Group soon.
From our brand-new Civils building range, to the previously mentioned Eco Centres, we have remained focused on the future and continue to adapt to the evolving needs of the market. We have also recently expanded our home range with a new line of doors and floors, as well as continuously updating our Panelling Centre showrooms with the newest trends in kitchen and appliances.
We have something very exciting coming up which has been in the pipeline for some time. Its something which will further enhance the customer experience and we cannot wait for it to launch later this year, watch this space!
